Founded in 1920, Stella Maris is the largest ship-visiting network in the world, we operate in 57 countries and are the official maritime charity of the Catholic Church. In Great Britain we have 21 chaplains, 111 volunteer ship visitors and visit ships in 62 ports.
Seafarers often have to work away from their families and local communities for nine to 12 months at a time. Life at sea can be difficult. Seafarers and fishers can suffer from loneliness, depression, spiritual deprivation, and even exploitation. Across the world, we aim to provide a ‘friend in every port’ and stand alongside seafarers and fishers to ensure their rights are upheld. Our network of 1,000+ chaplains and volunteers work in 353 ports around the world, they make more than 70,000 ship visits each year supporting hundreds of thousands of seafarers and fishermen in times of need. They listen and chat, they arrange Mass on board ships, they offer practical help in a crisis and bring free Wi-Fi on board so seafarers can call home.
We are pleased to partner with the Trinity House Maritime Charity, and are grateful for their grant funding which has helped to fund our work in UK ports and expand in Liverpool and the north west of England.